Chris Jordan
Wednesday night sweep ...
300♦ TAMPA BAY RAYS (LIST Price and Penny) - I took the Rays last night; I’m playing them once again in Game 2 of this crucial series with Boston, as there will be plenty to celebrate after last night’s comeback win. Down 2-1 in the eighth, they tie it in and win thanks to Evan Longoria’s 13th-inning bomb.
It was a big win for a number of reasons, as manager Joe Maddon shook up the lineup a bit and the team helped get the Rays closer in the playoff race with the BoSox and Yanks.
Matt Garza was solid yesterday; I’ll take David Price in this one, as he’ll rise to the occasion and bring his absolute best against the Red Sox. As I pointed out in the series opener, there’s no doubt in my mind the Red Sox are already thinking about the Yankees by now. The most hated MLB rivalry will go down in the Bronx this weekend.
Price was sharp last Friday night and earned his first win since the All-Star break, as his velocity and command were seemingly better against the Royals than he was in his previous two starts. I love the way Price has pitched at home this season, as he’s 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA.
He should have the momentum-edge, as the Red Sox are now 4-7 against the Rays this season, and have lost four of five in St. Petersburg, where they have won just twice in their last 15 regular-season games. Tampa has averaged 6.2 runs per game against the Red Sox this season.
I’m betting the runs will come easily tonight against Brad Penny, who hasn’t impressed me one bit over his last 10 starts. Aside from four no-decisions, he’s 2-4, while the BoSox have lost five of his last six starts. Now, while these are the always-competing-for-a-title Red Sox, just look at some of these opponents he’s faced: Athletics (loss), Blue Jays (loss), Royals (no-decision) and Nationals (no-decision).
This is a huge challenge for Penny, and with this one being at Tropicana Field, I’m laying the chalk with Tampa and listing both pitchers in this one.
100♦ CHICAGO CUBS RUN LINE (WITH Harden over whomever the Reds throw tonight.) - After last night’s win, the Cubs have inched ahead of St. Louis in the National League Central with a 14-5 spurt since the All-Star break, the best in the league. On the other hand, the Reds have lost eight straight – all at home – and a total of 14 of 15.
That all being said, it makes it very easy to lay the run line with the Cubbies and Rich Harden tonight, as the right-hander comes in after matching a career-high 11 strikeouts in his last start, against the Marlins. Catch is, Harden took the loss after throwing 99 pitches over five innings and leaving the game with the score knotted. Nevertheless, he’s steadily improved over the course of the season in my opinion and has a chance to turn in a dominating performance tonight against a lethargic offense.
The flyball pitcher, who is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last four starts, and he is 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA in eight road games this season, knows exactly how to - and when to - mix in his off-speed stuff, most notably an above-grade changeup. Harden shows excellent arm speed and movement with that change-up.
Chicago has won six straight against Cincinnati, and will make it seven in a row with an easy blowout win tonight.
hno:
